While Liquid Web offers solid web hosting services, this provider is not ideal for everyone. The vendor's high prices are a common complaint, which is an issue that stems from the decision to include extensive managed services in most packages.
Many users also note that Liquid Web primarily focuses on advanced virtual private server (VPS) hosting. This direction means many customers end up paying a premium for features they do not need, which is a deal-breaker for many users.
This article presents 11 excellent Liquid Web alternatives you should consider if you are unsure about signing up with Liquid Web. Jump in to see what other options are on the market and evaluate which provider makes the most sense for your use case.
Top 11 Liquid Web Alternatives
Below is an in-depth look at the best web hosting providers you can sign up with if Liquid Web's services are not an ideal fit. Whether you're looking for more affordable pricing or better features, you'll find the right provider in the text below.
phoenixNAP
phoenixNAP is a global Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider that specializes in cloud hosting, dedicated servers, and colocation services. With a strong emphasis on security and performance, phoenixNAP offers a feature-rich suite of solutions that are a robust alternative to Liquid Web.
phoenixNAP Advantages
Here are the main selling points of phoenixNAP:
- Flexible pricing for both cloud and dedicated hosting solutions.
- SSD-powered servers that ensure top-tier performance.
- Cutting-edge hardware with built-in redundancy.
- Free migration assistance for seamless onboarding.
- Advanced security measures (various firewalls, DDoS protection, automated data backups, etc.).
- Round-the-clock customer support with dedicated account managers.
- Top-tier availability thanks to a global infrastructure of 18 data centers and 11 network Points of Presence (PoPs).
- Adherence to industry regulations, including PCI DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA.
pNAP's focus on flexibility and seamless scalability makes us the go-to choice for companies that require high levels of customization or have quickly evolving IT requirements.
phoenixNAP Offers, Pricing, and Packages
Here's an overview of our most popular hosting services:
- Our colocation services enable businesses to set up privately owned servers at one of our facilities across the globe. Collocating equipment at our Phoenix-based data center provides access to AWS Direct Connect and Google Cloud Interconnect.
- Our flagship bare metal cloud (BMC) platform (which starts at as low as $0.08/h) enables teams to set up physical servers with cloud-like simplicity.
- Dedicated servers (which start at $95/month) provide clients with highly customizable single-tenant servers.
- The data security cloud enables you to host high-risk assets in a cloud-based platform we developed in collaboration with Intel and VMware.
phoenixNAP is ideal for businesses that seek high-performance, secure, and scalable hosting with a global presence. Flexible pricing and comprehensive support make pNAP suitable for both up-and-coming startups and organizations with enterprise-grade IT needs.
Kamatera
Kamatera is a cloud service provider that offers highly customizable and scalable hosting solutions. With a focus on flexibility and performance, Kamatera allows users to tailor their hosting environments to the specific needs of their websites and applications.
Kamatera Advantages
Here's what makes Kamatera one of the best Liquid Web alternatives on the market:
- Highly scalable and customizable cloud infrastructure (you can custom-build a cloud VPS from the ground up).
- Instant server deployment in under 60 seconds.
- Transparent pay-as-you-go pricing with no hidden fees.
- Advanced SSD storage and high-performance Intel Xeon processors.
- API integration for automation and enhanced developer control.
- Round-the-clock support with experienced engineers.
- A total of 13 data centers across the globe.
Despite these benefits, some users have noted that Kamatera's interface could be more user-friendly.
Kamatera Offers, Pricing, and Packages
Kamatera has a highly transparent and simple pricing system. The cost depends on your desired configuration, and the provider allows highly granular server customization. Server prices start at $4/month, and the most affordable option provides the following specifications:
- 1 vCPU (type A, 2667 MHz).
- 1GB RAM (DDR5).
- 20GB SSD storage.
- 5TB internet traffic.
No matter the server you choose, Kamatera enables you to use various operating systems, including Windows and all popular Linux distributions.
Kamatera is an excellent choice for users who need high levels of customization and want a pay-as-you-go hosting model with total price transparency. Speedy Intel Xeon processors also make the provider suitable for users with more demanding websites and apps.
Is your in-house team in charge of your website's safety? If so, check out our guide to website security to see how you can make your team more effective. You can also learn about the best WordPress security plugins to see how simple extensions can drastically improve website security.
HostGator
HostGator is a well-known hosting provider that offers a range of shared and dedicated hosting services. While notably more budget-friendly than Liquid Web, HostGator provides reliable hosting options with user-friendly tools and an impressive feature set.
HostGator Advantages
HostGator provides numerous benefits for users seeking dependable hosting:
- An easy-to-use cPanel interface for website management.
- Free domain registration for the first year (for most plans).
- Unlimited bandwidth and storage on shared hosting plans (subject to a fair usage policy).
- One-click WordPress installation for easy site setup.
- Free website migration with expert assistance.
- A mix of managed and semi-managed solutions.
- Round-the-clock customer support available via phone, live chat, and email.
This provider's primary drawback is its heavy reliance on upsells. Features like automated backups and advanced security measures often require extra fees.
HostGator Offers, Pricing, and Packages
Here's an overview of what HostGator offers to its clients and what you should expect to pay for these services:
- Shared web hosting plans start at $3.75/month.
- WordPress hosting plans start at $4.50/month.
- VPS hosting plans start at $34.99/month.
- Dedicated hosting plans start at $141.19/month.
HostGator is well-suited for individuals and SMBs who need reliable shared hosting or are launching their first website and want a budget-conscious option with solid customer support. HostGator's dedicated hosting plans are better suited to larger-scale projects.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a popular hosting provider known for its affordability, beginner-friendly features, and strong WordPress integration. While it doesn't offer the same performance levels as Liquid Web, Bluehost delivers excellent reliability for those on a tighter budget.
Bluehost Advantages
This provider offers a variety of benefits for users on the market for budget-friendly hosting:
- Seamless WordPress integration, evidenced by the fact that WordPress.org officially recommends this provider.
- Free domain registration for the first year.
- Free SSL certificates included in all hosting plans.
- An intuitive and easy-to-use control panel.
- A free website builder for quick site creation.
- One-click installations for WordPress and other popular applications.
- Helpful security features like malware scanning, backups, and DDoS protection, plus an excellent SiteLock security package for extra safety.
- Several built-in marketing and SEO tools.
The main drawback of Bluehost is that its customization and features may not satisfy users managing high-traffic or resource-heavy websites. Additionally, their renewal rates are significantly higher than introductory prices.
Bluehost Offers, Pricing, and Packages
This provider offers hosting packages tailored to different needs. Here's an overview of what Bluehost offers to its customers:
- Shared hosting plans (which start at $2.56/month) are ideal for websites with up to 40,000 monthly visits.
- VPS hosting plans (which start at $46.90/month) provide various VPS packages, the most affordable of which comes with two vCPU cores, 4GB RAM, and 100GB NVMe storage.
- Dedicated hosting plans (which start at $140.91/month) provide single-tenant hosting environments.
Bluehost is ideal for small business owners and WordPress users looking for affordable hosting with a strong focus on ease of use. This provider is best suited for those with simple websites who prioritize cost and simplicity over enterprise-level performance and advanced customization.
Is your WP-powered website too prone to slowdowns? If yes, check out our article on speeding up WordPress to see 27 tried-and-tested ways to improve website performance.
Linode (Akamai)
Linode is a cloud hosting provider that offers developer-focused hosting services. Known for its high-performance virtual machines (VMs) and customizable solutions, Linode is suitable for tech-savvy users who require flexible and cost-effective hosting.
Since Akamai acquired the company in 2022, Linode has been integrated into Akamai's broader cloud computing services.
Linode Advantages
This provider stands out for its developer-friendly approach and good performance. Here's what makes Linode one of the market's top Liquid Web alternatives:
- Highly customizable VMs with flexible resource configurations.
- Affordable hosting plans with highly transparent cloud costs.
- High-performance SSD-based infrastructure that ensures fast response times.
- A wide range of server locations thanks to the Akamai acquisition.
- An easy-to-use control panel for managing instances, backups, and cloud networking.
- An extensive library of one-click app installations.
- Robust API for advanced automation and integration capabilities.
Linode's main selling point is also its main drawback: its focus on a developer-oriented audience. The required level of tech-savviness is often too intimidating for non-technical users. However, the vendor has made strides to improve accessibility with one-click installations and beginner-friendly guides.
Linode Offers, Pricing, and Packages
Akamai's Linode offers a range of plans to suit different web hosting needs:
- Shared instances start at $5/month for 1GB RAM, 1 CPU, and 25GB storage.
- Dedicated instances start at $36/month for 4GB RAM, 2 CPUs, and 80GB storage.
- High memory plans start at $60/month for 24GB RAM, 2 CPUs, and 20GB storage.
Linode is ideal for businesses with solid in-house technical expertise looking for affordable, high-performance cloud hosting. The provider is best suited for users who are comfortable managing their servers and require flexibility to deploy custom solutions for web applications.
A2 Hosting
A2 Hosting is a web hosting provider known for its speed-optimized servers and developer-friendly features. Like other Liquid Web alternatives in this article, this vendor offers a broad range of hosting solutions, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
A2 Hosting Advantages
A2 Hosting excels in speed, flexibility, and customer support. Here are the main benefits offered by this provider:
- Turbo Servers (equipped with AMD EPYC processors and NVMe SSD drives) that provide up to 20x faster page load times compared to standard hosting.
- Free site migration for an easy transition from your current hosting provider.
- Several developer-friendly tools, including SSH access, staging environments, and support for multiple programming languages.
- Anytime money-back guarantee.
- Free automated backups and SSL certificates.
- Green hosting initiatives with carbon-neutral servers.
- Flexible managed VPS and dedicated hosting options that enable a more hands-off hosting experience.
A2 Hosting's primary downside is its high renewal prices, which increase significantly after the initial signup. Additionally, while its managed hosting options are solid, they may not match the premium level of Liquid Web's managed services.
A2 Hosting Offers, Pricing, and Packages
This provider offers a variety of plans to suit different needs:
- Shared hosting plans start at $2.99/month.
- Dedicated server hosting plans start at $129/month and provide customizable single-tenant environments.
- Managed VPS hosting plans start at $35.99/month (unmanaged VPS hosting starts at $2.99/month).
- Managed WordPress hosting starts at $11.99/month and offers expert support for your WP-powered website, plus access to A2 Hosting's Turbo servers.
A2 Hosting is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses and development teams seeking fast, reliable hosting with excellent customer support. The provider's performance-focused features and affordable introductory pricing appeal to users looking for cost-effective Liquid Web alternatives.
Unsure whether you need managed services from your hosting provider? Check out our guide to managed hosting and see precisely what this type of service entails.
Namecheap
Namecheap is a budget-friendly hosting provider known for easy-to-use features and competitive pricing. This provider also stands out thanks to its strong uptime guarantees.
Namecheap Advantages
This provider offers an excellent mix of affordability and usability. Here are the main benefits of signing up with Namecheap:
- Competitive pricing for shared and WordPress hosting plans.
- Free domain registration with most hosting packages.
- A user-friendly dashboard and cPanel for easy site management.
- Free website migration from your current provider.
- Round-the-clock customer support via chat and tickets.
- A 30-day money-back guarantee on most hosting plans.
- Regular promotions and discounts for cost-conscious users.
The main limitation of Namecheap is its less advanced infrastructure, and fewer managed hosting options compared to other Liquid Web alternatives. This provider is more suited to smaller-scale projects and users without overly complex hosting needs.
Namecheap Offers, Pricing, and Packages
This vendor provides a variety of affordable hosting plans with varying prices:
- Shared hosting plans start at $1.98/month, and the most affordable package provides a domain name, 20GB SSD, 30 mailboxes, and a website builder.
- WordPress hosting plans (EasyWP) start at $1.43/month, and the most affordable plan offers 10GB SSD storage, a free CDN, and free SSL.
- VPS hosting plans start at $6.88/month, and the most affordable offering provides 2 CPU cores, 2GB RAM, 40GB SSD RAID 10, and 1000GB bandwidth.
- Dedicated server prices range from $47.88/month to $238.88/month, depending on server specifications.
Namecheap is an excellent choice for budget-conscious small businesses and startups seeking basic but reliable hosting services. The provider is particularly suitable for users who value ease of use and have no need for advanced features or fully managed hosting.
Kinsta
Kinsta is a managed WordPress hosting provider powered by the Google Cloud Platform. With its focus on simplicity and reliability, Kinsta is an excellent choice for businesses looking for hands-off hosting with enterprise-grade features.
Kinsta Advantages
Here are the main advantages that make Kinsta stand out as one of the top Liquid Web alternatives:
- Fully managed WordPress hosting.
- Google Cloud Platform integration with 35 global data center locations.
- A free Cloudflare CDN with 275+ global PoPs.
- A user-friendly MyKinsta dashboard for site management.
- An excellent backup system (automatic daily backups are included in all plans, while higher-tier plans offer hourly backups).
- Staging environments for safe testing and updates.
- Premium uptime monitoring with 720 daily checks per site.
- No overage charges for traffic surges.
On the negative side, Kinsta's pricing is steep compared to other Liquid Web alternatives, especially for users with multiple sites. Additionally, Kinsta is exclusively focused on WordPress hosting, which limits its appeal to users who use other CMSes.
Kinsta Offers, Pricing, and Packages
This host offers three different plans for WordPress users:
- Single-site plans (which start at $35/month) are intended for customers who want to host a single website.
- Multiple-site plans (which start at $70/month) are the go-to choice for clients who wish to host 2+ websites.
- Agency program plans (which start at $284/month) offer everything in single/multiple-site plans plus a few extra features (e.g., free hosting for sites during migration, custom dashboards, account management features, etc.). These plans are designed for agencies managing a portfolio of client sites.
Kinsta is ideal for businesses that prioritize performance, reliability, and hands-off management for their WordPress websites. The provider is especially suitable for high-traffic sites, eCommerce businesses, and enterprises that need scalable hosting backed by expert support.
Hostinger
Hostinger is a feature-rich hosting provider that offers a wide range of services while being one of the more budget-friendly Liquid Web alternatives. This provider offers shared, cloud, and VPS hosting plans with excellent performance, user-friendly interfaces, and top customer support.
Hostinger Advantages
Here is an overview of what makes Hostinger an excellent choice for hosting your website or web-based app:
- Hosting plans that start at just $2.49/month.
- Fast-loading websites powered by LiteSpeed web servers and caching (LiteSpeed servers are available for WordPress and higher-tier shared hosting plans).
- An intuitive and user-friendly hPanel for website management.
- Optimized WordPress hosting with 1-click installations.
- An extensive knowledge base and 24/7/365 customer support via live chat.
- Automated daily and weekly backups.
While Hostinger is budget-friendly, it may not offer a sufficiently high level of advanced features or scalability for enterprise-level clients. However, while Hostinger lacks the premium features offered by Liquid Web, it does offer a more generous amount of storage (30GB versus 15GB on the cheapest plans).
Hostinger Offers, Pricing, and Packages
Here are Hostinger's main plans (all of which come with a 30-day money-back guarantee):
- Web hosting plans, which start at $2.49/month.
- WordPress hosting plans, which start at $2.49/month.
- Cloud hosting plans, which start at $7.59/month.
- VPS hosting, which starts at $5.99/month.
Hostinger also offers business email servers, which cost between $0.99 and $2.99/month, depending on the desired configuration.
Hostinger is an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses seeking cost-effective hosting with decent performance and features. Its straightforward interface and general beginner-friendliness make it particularly attractive for users new to website hosting.
SiteGround
SiteGround is a highly reliable and feature-rich hosting provider known for robust managed WordPress hosting. The provider also stands out thanks to its advanced security features and globally distributed data centers.
SiteGround Advantages
Here's what makes SiteGround one of the most notable Liquid Web alternatives:
- Excellent managed WordPress hosting with automated updates and staging tools.
- Custom-built caching system (SuperCacher) for improved load times.
- Free SSL certificates and daily backups included in all plans.
- User-friendly tools, including a custom control panel (Site Tools) and website builder.
- Robust security features, including an AI anti-bot system, firewalls, and DDoS protection.
- Several helpful collaboration tools.
- Client management and white-labeling options for agencies.
- Excellent 24/7 support with expert assistance via chat, phone, and tickets.
The most prominent drawback of SiteGround is that its pricing is higher than that of some competitors, especially upon renewal. Additionally, its resource allocation on lower-tier plans may not handle traffic surges as effectively as other Liquid Web alternatives.
SiteGround Offers, Pricing, and Packages
This provider offers three different web hosting plans, the cheapest of which (StartUp) costs $4.15/month.
The two higher-tier plans are GrowBig (which costs $7.27/month) and GoGeek (which costs $11.22/month), both of which expand on the features found in the StartUp plan. The GoGeek plan also includes priority support and advanced features like Git integration and staging environments.
SiteGround also offers cloud hosting plans. These plans range from $83.18/month (for 4 CPU cores, 8GB memory, 40GB SSD space, 5TB data transfers) to $311.94/month (for 16 CPU cores, 20GB memory, 160GB SSD space, 5TB data transfers).
The provider is best suited for SMBs that need reliable performance, excellent customer service, and advanced web hosting tools. Its managed services and security features also make the vendor a solid option for anyone who prioritizes uptime and security.
GreenGeeks
GreenGeeks is a hosting provider for individuals and businesses that prioritize eco-friendliness while still demanding reliable performance and features. With its commitment to renewable energy and a wide range of hosting solutions, GreenGeeks offers robust hosting with competitive pricing.
GreenGeeks Advantages
Here are the most notable selling points of signing up with GreenGeeks:
- Affordable pricing tailored for smaller websites and startups.
- Solid performance due to SSD storage and optimized caching.
- Free CDN via Cloudflare.
- Free SSL certificates, nightly backups, and various built-in security features.
- Managed WordPress hosting with automatic updates and staging tools.
- A user-friendly cPanel dashboard with Softaculous for easy app installations.
- Round-the-clock customer support through live chat and email.
GreenGeeks provides a 300% renewable energy match for every hosting plan. For every kilowatt of electricity the provider draws from the power grid, the vendor returns three kilowatts in the form of wind and solar energy.
On the negative side, GreenGeeks does not offer dedicated servers. The lack of single-tenant servers means this provider does not cater to enterprise-scale clients requiring highly customized or resource-intensive hosting.
GreenGeeks Offers, Pricing, and Packages
This vendor provides several hosting plans designed for both beginners and experienced users:
- Three shared hosting/WordPress plans, including Lite ($2.95/month), Pro ($4.95/month), and Premium ($8.95/month).
- Three VPS hosting plans that offer 4GB of RAM ($69.95/month), 8GB of RAM ($129.95/month), and 16GB of RAM ($179.95/month).
GreenGeeks is ideal for environmentally conscious users, startups, and SMBs seeking affordable, reliable hosting with sustainability at its core.
Our article on data center sustainability presents the most effective ways for data center operators to reduce the environmental footprints of their facilities.
What to Look for When Choosing Best Liquid Web Alternatives
While you cannot go too wrong with any of the Liquid Web alternatives mentioned in this article, some hosts may be a better fit for you than others.
Here's a list of what you must consider when choosing a hosting provider for your business:
- Hosting type. Assess whether you need shared, VPS, or dedicated hosting. Different providers excel in different areas, so find one that specializes in your required type of hosting.
- Performance capabilities. Look for providers who offer sufficiently powerful servers capable of seamlessly running your website and apps.
- SLA guarantees. Look for hosts that offer service-level agreements with clearly outlined compensation policies for unplanned downtime.
- Customizability. Check whether the host enables sufficient customization of server configurations to meet your specific IT requirements.
- Scalability. Ensure the hosting provider offers scalable solutions that enable you to seamlessly upgrade resources or switch to higher-tier plans as your needs grow.
- Pricing. Compare pricing plans, introductory offers, renewal rates, and included features to determine the best value for your budget.
- Support quality. Check whether the provider offers 24/7 customer support and evaluate its reputation for responsiveness and technical expertise.
- Ease of use. Prioritize hosting providers with intuitive control panels if you need hassle-free site management. Also, check whether the vendor provides migration services to simplify the transition from your current provider.
- Specialized features. Evaluate whether the provider offers features relevant to your specific needs, such as WordPress optimization, eCommerce tools, or development environments.
- Security features. Look for providers that offer features like SSL certificates, firewalls, DDoS protection, malware scanning, and automated backups.
- Server locations. Choose a provider with data centers near your target audience to ensure fast loading times and optimal performance.
- Reputation and reviews. Research customer reviews and testimonials to understand the provider's strengths and weaknesses.
Decided to deploy an in-house server instead of relying on a third-party host? If so, check out our guide to buying servers for some valuable guidance.
Which Liquid Web Alternative Is Right for You?
While Liquid Web offers solid web hosting services, exploring alternatives can enable you to find providers with better pricing and more beneficial features. Evaluate the Liquid Web alternatives outlined in this article and see whether signing up with one of them makes more sense for your business than going with Liquid Web.